JAUSIERS, France, July 22 (UPI) -- Cyril Dessel held off a late downhill charge Tuesday from David Arroyo and Sandy Casar and won the 16th Stage of the 2008 Tour de France.
The trio was in a group that topped Tuesday's final uncategorized climb and led the charge downhill to Jausiers, France. With about a quarter mile to go, Yaroslav Popovych joined the leaders for a final surge.
Dessel was ahead, with Casar and Arroyo taking turns at trying to grab the lead but Dessel was able to withstand the challenge to earn his first stage victory. Dessel finished the 94.2-mile run from Cuneo, Italy, to Jausiers in 4 hours, 31 minutes, 27 seconds. Casar, who was second, and Arroyo were credited with the same time.
Overall leader Frank Schleck was 12th in the stage and kept the yellow jersey. He has a 7-second lead on Bernhard Kohl and is 8 seconds ahead of Cadel Evans.
Wednesday's 27th stage is a 126.3-mile route from Embrun to L'Alpe-d'Huez. The stage features three uncategorized climbs and is considered the last chance this year for the climbers to shine.
